Side bet for the card game of blackjack

ABSTRACT

A side bet game, for a game of blackjack between a dealer and a player where the player is dealt two initial cards and the dealer is dealt a single initial card, involves allowing the player to place a side bet in addition to a blackjack hand bet of the game of blackjack and determining a three card hand comprising the two initial cards of the player and the single initial card of the dealer. The player is paid a winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of three eights, suited or unsuited, is comprised of a 5-6-7, is comprised of any three-of-a-kind, is comprised of two 8&#39;s, is comprised of a total of 8, 18, or 28, or is comprised of two cards with matching index values.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/888,340, filed Feb. 6, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of playing a card game based on the well-known game of blackjack in which a side bet is placed.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,266, by Fernando Terminel, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes various aspects of the game of Blackjack or Twenty-One. One example of a side wager is described in detail, however, as further described therein, the average lifetime for a variant side bet game is short enough that there remains a continuing need for candidate games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of playing a game of blackjack between a dealer and a player wherein the player is dealt two initial cards and the dealer is dealt a single initial card, the method comprising:

allowing the player to place a side bet in addition to a blackjack hand bet of the game of blackjack;

determining a three card hand comprising the two initial cards of the player and the single initial card of the dealer; and

paying the player a winning amount on the side bet if a sum of the three card hand is equal to 8, 18, or 28.

Preferably the non-numerical card value A is counted as 1 and the non-numerical card values J, Q, or K are counted as 10 for the purpose of determining totals of 8, 18, or 28.

When the game of blackjack is played with at least three decks, preferably the method includes paying the player a first winning amount when a first criteria is met, the first criteria comprising the three card hand being: A-A-6, A-2-5, A-3-4, 2-2-4, 2-3-3, A-7-10, A-7-J, A-7-Q, A-7-K, A-8-9, 2-6-10, 2-6-J, 2-6-Q, 2-6-K, 2-7-9, 2-8-8, 3-5-10, 3-5-J, 3-5-Q, 3-5-K, 3-6-9, 3-7-8, 4-4-10, 4-4-J, 4-4-Q, 4-4-K, 4-5-9, 4-6-8, 4-7-7, 5-5-8, 5-6-7, 6-6-6, 8-10-10, 8-10-J, 8-10-Q, 8-10-K, 8-J-J, 8-J-Q, 8-J-K, 8-Q-Q, 8-Q-K, 8-K-K, 9-9-10, 9-9-J, 9-9-Q, or 9-9-K; or paying the player a second winning amount when a second criteria is met, the second criteria comprising at least two cards of the three card hand having matching index values.

The method may further include only paying the player the first winning amount when both the first and second criteria are met, the first winning amount being greater than the second winning amount.

The method may further include paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater than either one of the first winning amount or the second winning amount, instead of paying the player the first or second winning amounts, if exactly two cards of the three card hand have matching index values and the matching index values are 8's.

The method may further include paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater than either one of the first winning amount or the second winning amount, instead of paying the player the first or second winning amounts, if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values.

The method may further include paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater than either one of the first winning amount or the second winning amount, instead of paying the player the first or second winning amounts, if the three cards of the three card hand have index values of 5-6-7.

The method may further include paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values and the matching index values are 8's than if the three cards of the three card hand have index values of 5-6-7.

The method may further include paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values of 8 and are of the same suit than if the three cards of the three card hand have matching index values of 8 and are not of the same suit.

The method may further include paying the player an auxiliary winning amount if at least two cards of the three card hand have matching index values and the sum of the three card is not equal to 8, 18, or 28.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a game of blackjack between a dealer and a player wherein the player is dealt two initial cards and the dealer is dealt a single initial card, the method comprising:

allowing the player to place a side bet in addition to a blackjack hand bet of the game of blackjack;

determining a three card hand comprising the two initial cards of the player and the single initial card of the dealer;

paying the player a first winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of three eights having the same suit;

paying the player a second winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of three eights of any suit,

paying the player a third winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of a 5-6-7;

paying the player a fourth winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of any three-of-a-kind;

paying the player a fifth winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of two 8's;

paying the player a sixth winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of a total of 8, 18, or 28; and

paying the player a seventh winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of two cards with matching index values.

Preferably the first winning amount is higher than the second winning amount; the second winning amount is higher than the fourth winning amount; the third winning amount is higher than the sixth winning amount; the fourth winning amount is higher than the sixth winning amount; the fifth winning amount is higher than the sixth winning amount; and the sixth winning amount is higher than the seventh winning amount.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a game of blackjack between a dealer and a player wherein the player is dealt two initial cards and the dealer is dealt a single initial card, the method comprising:

allowing the player to place a side bet in addition to a blackjack hand bet of the game of blackjack;

determining a three card hand comprising the two initial cards of the player and the single initial card of the dealer; and

paying the player a winning amount on the side bet if at least two cards of the three card hand have matching index values.

The method may further include paying the player a winning amount which is greater if said at least two cards of the three card hand have an index value comprising eight than if said at least two cards of the three card hand have an index value which is not eight.

The method may further include paying the player a winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have an index value comprising eight than if only two cards of the three card hand have an index value comprising eight.

The method may further include paying the player a winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values than if only two cards of the three card hand have matching index values.

In one aspect, the invention may comprise a method of playing blackjack or 21, comprising the steps of: (a) dealing two initial cards to a player and a single initial card to a dealer (the “three initial cards”); (b) allowing the player to place a side bet; (c) paying or collecting the side bet in accordance with a pre-established set of rules which cover all possible combinations of the three initial cards; and (d) continuing with the blackjack game.

In another aspect, the invention comprises an improvement to a conventional or variant game of blackjack, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: (a) allowing the player to place a side bet; (b) paying or collecting the side bet in accordance with a pre-established set of rules which cover all possible combinations of the three initial cards.

If the three card hand is comprised of three suited eights, then the player may win a payout of an amount. If the three card hand is comprised of three eights of any suit, then the player may win a payout of an amount. If the three card hand is comprised of a 5-6-7 then the player may win a payout of an amount. If the three card hand is comprised of any three-of-a-kind then the player may win a payout of an amount. If the three card hand is comprised of two 8's and another card value then the player may win an amount. If the three card hand is comprised of a total of 8, 18, or 28 then the player may win an amount. If the three card hand is comprised of two cards with matching index values then the player may win an amount.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 comprises schedules of payout tables for the side bet described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A card game is described herein as Straight 8's, and involves an optional side wager offered with the game of Shoe Blackjack that is open to all Players who have made a Blackjack wager.

The Player qualifies for a winning Straight 8's hand by using their first two cards along with the Dealer's up-card.

Straight 8's Play

-   1. Prior to the start of each round of Blackjack, Players are     afforded the opportunity to place a Straight 8's wager. This wager     must be placed on the designated betting spot at the same time that     the primary Blackjack wager is made. -   2. All wagers must be in $1 multiples. -   3. Once the Dealer has dealt the first two cards to each Player and     has established an up-card, the Dealer must determine if any of the     Players who have wagered on the Straight 8's wager have hands that     qualify for a Straight 8's payout. -   4. Straight 8's hands consist of the 3 cards comprised of the     Dealer's up-card and the Player's first two cards. -   5. Each Straight 8's wager is only entitled to one payout from the     Straight 8's pay table. -   6. Players who qualify for a Straight 8's payout will be paid     according to the Straight 8's pay table below.

Straight 8's Pay Table (4 Deck Game - Schedule A - shown in FIG. 1) Three Suited 8's 200 to 1 Three 8's 50 to 1 Straight 18 (5-6-7) 25 to 1 Any Triple 5 to 1 Pair of 8's 3 to 1 Any 8, 18 or 28 2 to 1 Any Pair 2 to 1 Three Suited 8's—Player's first two cards and the Dealer's up-card must all have index values of 8 and all have the same suit. Three 8's—Player's first two cards and the Dealer's up-card must all be 8's. Suits are irrelevant. Straight 18—Player's first two cards and the Dealer's up-card must total 18 and be in sequence (5-6-7). Suits are irrelevant Any Triple (3-of-a-Kind)—Player's first two cards and the Dealer's up-card must all have the same index value. Suits are irrelevant Pair of 8's—Any two cards from the player's first two cards and the Dealer's up-card must have index values of 8. Suits are irrelevant. Any 8, 18 or 28—Player's first two cards and the Dealer's up-card must total 8, 18, or 28. Any Pair—Any two cards from the player's first two cards and the Dealer's up-card must have the same index values. Suits are irrelevant. 4 Deck Game—Schedule A (shown in FIG. 1)

-   House Advantage—4.02% -   Pay Frequency—28.24% -   Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein     above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of     same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without     department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all     matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be     interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A method of playing a game of blackjack between a dealer and a player wherein the player is dealt two initial cards and the dealer is dealt a single initial card, the method comprising: allowing the player to place a side bet in addition to a blackjack hand bet of the game of blackjack; determining a three card hand comprising the two initial cards of the player and the single initial card of the dealer; and paying the player a winning amount on the side bet if a sum of the three card hand is equal to 8, 18, or
 28. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the non-numerical card value A is counted as 1 and the non-numerical card values J, Q, or K are counted as for the purpose of determining totals of 8, 18, or
 28. 3. A method according to claim 1 including playing the game of blackjack with at least three decks and paying the player a first winning amount when a first criteria is met, the first criteria comprising the three card hand being: A-A-6, A-2-5, A-3-4, 2-2-4, 2-3-3, A-7-10, A-7-J, A-7-Q, A-7-K, A-8-9, 2-6-10, 2-6-J, 2-6-Q, 2-6-K, 2-7-9, 2-8-8, 3-5-10, 3-5-J, 3-5-Q, 3-5-K, 3-6-9, 3-7-8, 4-4-10, 4-4-J, 4-4-Q, 4-4-K, 4-5-9, 4-6-8, 4-7-7, 5-5-8, 5-6-7, 6-6-6, 8-10-10, 8-10-J, 8-10-Q, 8-10-K, 8-J-J, 8-J-Q, 8-J-K, 8-Q-Q, 8-Q-K, 8-K-K, 9-9-10, 9-9-J, 9-9-Q, or 9-9-K; or paying the player a second winning amount when a second criteria is met, the second criteria comprising at least two cards of the three card hand having matching index values.
 4. A method according to claim 3 including only paying the player the first winning amount when both the first and second criteria are met, the first winning amount being greater than the second winning amount.
 5. A method according to claim 3 including paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater than either one of the first winning amount or the second winning amount, instead of paying the player the first or second winning amounts, if exactly two cards of the three card hand have matching index values and the matching index values are 8's.
 6. A method according to claim 3 including paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater than either one of the first winning amount or the second winning amount, instead of paying the player the first or second winning amounts, if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values.
 7. A method according to claim 3 including paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater than either one of the first winning amount or the second winning amount, instead of paying the player the first or second winning amounts, if the three cards of the three card hand have index values of 5-6-7.
 8. A method according to claim 7 including paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values and the matching index values are 8's than if the three cards of the three card hand have index values of 5-6-7.
 9. A method according to claim 8 including paying the player an auxiliary winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values of 8 and are of the same suit than if the three cards of the three card hand have matching index values of 8 and are not of the same suit.
 10. A method according to claim 1 including paying the player an auxiliary winning amount if at least two cards of the three card hand have matching index values and the sum of the three card is not equal to 8, 18, or
 28. 11. A method of playing a game of blackjack between a dealer and a player wherein the player is dealt two initial cards and the dealer is dealt a single initial card, the method comprising: allowing the player to place a side bet in addition to a blackjack hand bet of the game of blackjack; determining a three card hand comprising the two initial cards of the player and the single initial card of the dealer; paying the player a first winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of three eights having the same suit; paying the player a second winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of three eights of any suit, paying the player a third winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of a 5-6-7; paying the player a fourth winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of any three-of-a-kind; paying the player a fifth winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of two 8's; paying the player a sixth winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of a total of 8, 18, or 28; and paying the player a seventh winning amount if the three card hand is comprised of two cards with matching index values.
 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the first winning amount is higher than the second winning amount.
 13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the second winning amount is higher than the fourth winning amount.
 14. A method according to claim 11 wherein the third winning amount is higher than the sixth winning amount.
 15. A method according to claim 11 wherein the fourth winning amount is higher than the sixth winning amount.
 16. A method according to claim 11 wherein the fifth winning amount is higher than the sixth winning amount.
 17. A method according to claim 11 wherein the sixth winning amount is higher than the seventh winning amount.
 18. A method of playing a game of blackjack between a dealer and a player wherein the player is dealt two initial cards and the dealer is dealt a single initial card, the method comprising: allowing the player to place a side bet in addition to a blackjack hand bet of the game of blackjack; determining a three card hand comprising the two initial cards of the player and the single initial card of the dealer; and paying the player a winning amount on the side bet if at least two cards of the three card hand have matching index values.
 19. The method according to claim 18 including paying the player a winning amount which is greater if said at least two cards of the three card hand have an index value comprising eight than if said at least two cards of the three card hand have an index value which is not eight.
 20. The method according to claim 19 including paying the player a winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have an index value comprising eight than if only two cards of the three card hand have an index value comprising eight.
 21. The method according to claim 18 including paying the player a winning amount which is greater if all three cards of the three card hand have matching index values than if only two cards of the three card hand have matching index values. 